German authorities have announced strict penalties for rioters and looters who damaged business premises and injured more than 100 police officers in Frankfurt last night during protests against the high cost of living, according to the British agency Reuters.
Germany’s financial capital became the scene of violence after demonstrations in which tens of thousands of people marched in dozens of cities across the country.
The protests were linked to the movement “Gen Z regelt” (Generation Z takes matters into their own hands), which is demanding better conditions in education and protesting against the rising cost of living.
Hooded individuals damaged 17 business premises, five of which were looted, stated Roman Poseck, Minister of the Interior of the federal state of Hesse.
He added that 1,300 security personnel were deployed, of whom 100 were injured in the clashes. Police arrested 54 people, aged between 13 and 29 years.
“Police currently estimate that there were 1,000 to 1,500 violent rioters, some of whom have immigrant backgrounds,” said Poseck, noting that the majority of those arrested are of German nationality.
Local police reported violent riots during which shop windows were smashed and Molotov cocktails were thrown at emergency service personnel.
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt promised that “rioters and looters will be identified and held accountable.”
“Such disruption of public order must be punished with strict penalties,” he added.
Dobrindt accused “violent far-left groups and rioters from the immigrant community” of abusing the peaceful demonstrations, although he did not provide evidence for his claims.
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